Page 69 of Meet Me at the Fudge Shop

“Declan has heart. He cares about his grandma. Cares about his family’s legacy just like I care about mine.”

“And you also care about him.” A smile edged Tara’s lips. “Don’t try to deny it. It’s written all over your face.”

Once again, Lily groaned. “I don’t want to care.”

“And yet, you do. It’s why I asked you if you thought he was trying to sabotage you. Oh my, the defense.”

Lily laughed, incredulous. “You didn’t really think he was. You just wanted to see ifIthought he was. To see if I…”

“Love him? Yes, dear.”

“Love?” Lily sputtered the word. “Ha! No. I tolerate him, sure. He’s easy on the eyes, I’ll admit. And he’s got a surprising amount of kindness in him. And he apologized for the past.”

“So far I’m not hearing abut.”

“But”—Lily said, with emphasis—“he’s leaving, Tara. And I don’t think, well, he’s never said he would want to be with me or anything like that. Plus, we’recompetitors.” She stopped and placed her hands on her hips as she faced Tara. “That’s a lot ofbuts standing in our way.”

“True. There were a lot of buts standing in mine and Arnie’s way too. You know the story.”

Lily swallowed. “I do.” She knew how a girl named Tara Montgomery from a rich Bostonian family had visited Jonathon Island the summer after her high school graduation and met a poor seminary student named Arnie Chamberlain. How they’d fallen for each other and, despite the disapproval of her family, she’d chosen him and a young marriage over the fancy college education her parents had planned for her.

“Then you know that when it comes to love, nothing is ever one-hundred-percent easy. It takes work and commitment.” Tara squeezed Lily’s arm. “But when two people decide it’s worth it, oh, honey, it’s worth it.”

What if…Oh, the thought weirdly filled her chest. No. No—that wasn’t…

Well, she’d been down that road of dreaming of a future with Declan Kelley, and look where that had gotten her. And this time sheknewhe’d abandon her, so…

“I appreciate that, Tara, but right now I have bigger problems. I don’t know how to come back from that article.” Her eyes started to burn. “I don’t know if I should even try.”

“You shoulddefinitelytry. God has given you a talent, Lily Hart, and it’s your job to do your best with it—like Arnie said today, don’t bury it. And sure, things may not turn out the way you envision. They may not even turn out the way you want. But His ways are infinitely better, and when we give our talents back to Him, then it’s so fun to watch and see what He will do.”

Tara smiled at her, and it sank into Lily, along with her words. Tara held out her arms and Lily stepped into the embrace. “Thank you.”

“And one more thing. Regarding that article.” Tara pulled away and looked into Lily’s eyes. “There’s no bad press that can’t be overcome with a little brilliant marketing. And if I recall, you have a best friend who just happens to know a lot about marketing.”

Sadie.

“Oh my goodness.” Smiling, Lily smacked her own forehead. Yes, Sadie would know what to do.

This game wasn’t lost yet.

* * *

You’ll never know if she is feeling the same way if you don’t just man up and kiss her.

For five days, Brandon’s words had played on repeat in Declan’s head.

Especially seeing the rekindled fire in Lily. On Monday, he’d come into the fudge shop to find a new woman there. One with a new spark, a new confidence, a new determination in her eyes.

In truth, it made her even more beautiful.

Man up. Kiss her.

“Earth to Declan.” Mom’s voice broke through the haze and snapped him right back to his parents’ table, where his family was gathered on this Thursday evening. It was Mom’s night off from the diner, so instead she’d spent the evening whipping up an eggplant lasagna that was to die for.

He’d probably gained a few pounds during his stay on Jonathon Island.

“Sorry, what?” Declan stabbed a crouton on his salad with a bit too much force, sending it streaking across the white tabletop.

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